'Stand down' will benefit homeless veterans

November 06, 2013

It is difficult to get a handle on the number of homeless veterans in Hampton Roads.

The population goes beyond those living in shelters or holding signs along the road. The homeless stay with relatives, "couch-surf" with friends or temporarily live in hotels. Regardless of circumstances, they need help.

That's why the Hampton VA Medical Center and the city of Hampton Military Affairs Committee will hold a stand down for homeless veterans on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Y.H. Thomas Community Center, 1300 Thomas St., Hampton.

In the military, a stand down is a stoppage or a pulling back from a state of alert. In war, a soldier might be ordered to stand down to leave the front lines and get a meal and shower. On the home front, the Army has conducted suicide prevention stand downs to stress the importance of mental health treatment.

At this stand down, veterans will be offered a hot meal, haircuts and showers. They can pick up donated clothing and various personal items. It can have an impact beyond Saturday. Representatives from various organizations will be available to talk about housing, jobs, substance abuse treatment and getting access to VA services.

Marti Chick-Ebey, homeless coordinator for the Hampton VA, said outreach efforts have extended to shelters and other "hot spots" where homeless veterans tend to gather. They will offer flu shots, blood pressure and HIV screenings and evaluate the homeless for admission into VA's domiciliary program, she said.

Traditionally, Vietnam-era veterans make up the largest percentage of homeless veterans. However, more post-911 veterans and their families are now seeking help, the VA says.

Several local businesses are contributing to the Nov. 16 event, as well as representatives of local Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and VFW posts, and members of the WAVES.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Chick-Ebey said organizers are "very excited" to reach out to the homeless, especially those in hotels or staying with friends who might not be the focus of other outreach efforts.

Welcome home

The three warships of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group are scheduled to return to Hampton Roads Thursday after an eight-month combat deployment, the Navy said this week.

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge and the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio are bound for Naval Station Norfolk. The amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall will return home to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach.

Also returning home will be members of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

In all, more than 4,000 sailors and Marines will arrive back on American soil.